Supply system fob



C. P. BOSSERT.

SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR PLASTIC MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20. 19h].

Patented July 8, 1919.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D c.

CHARLES P. BOSSERT, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

. SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR PLASTIC MATERIALS.

Specification of Letters Patcnt.

Application filed April 20, 1918. Serial No. 229,728.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES P. Bossnn'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Supply Systems For Plastic Materials, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to systems for supplying fluid or plastic substances to machines in which such substances are utilized.

Machines which are used for treating different materials often utilize a fluid or plastic substance which is difiicult to feed to the machines on account of the nature and characteristics of the substance. For instance, machines are in use for applying a so called sulfid compound to hides for the purpose of loosening the hair to facilitate its subsequent removal. These machines may have a supply hopper and means for applying the compound from the supply hopper tot-he hides. The compound usually employed is a mixture of sulfid of soda and lime. This mixture, which is commonly referred to as sullid compound is difficult to feed to the supply hoppers of the machines because of the fact that the compound soon hardens and tends to clogup the diiierent parts of the supply system.

One object of the present invention, is to provide a system for supplying arsubstance of the above nature to machines in which such substances are utilized.

7 Another object is to provide a supply sys tem of the above character in which the system may be readily cleansed or flushed.

Another object is to provide means whereby the material removed from the system by the flushing operation may be retained and subsequently used.

Another object is to provide an improved method of supplying fluid or plastic substance-s to machines in which such substances are utilized.

The system to be hereinafter described may be used for supplying various different substances to various different kinds of machines, but for the sake of illustration the invention. will be described in connection with the supply of suhid compound to hide treating machines.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the present instance, there are three machine-s illustrated for applying the sulfid compound to the hides. It will be understood, however, that the system may be used for supplying the compound to any number oi machines Two of these machines are shown at 1 and 2 respectively. These machines may be identical in construction, and the two in conjunction may constitute a set which is adapted to treat hides of one type. The second set comprises, in the present instance, a sin le machine 3, which may be used for treating hides of a different type.

A detailed description of the construction of the machines 1, 2 and 3 is not necessary for an understanding of the invention. However, the specific construction of the machines is shown'and described in my Patent No. 1,300,920, dated April 15th, 1919. It is suflicient for the present purpose to know that the machines are represented dia-,

grammatically in end elevation, and to know that the machines in general comprise an endless belt which passes over a pair of rollers. At one end of the machine there is located a supply hopper i which transfers the compound to the feed roll 5. A distributer roll 6 revolves adjacent to the feed roll 5 at relatively high speed. This distributer roll is provided with a series of radially projecting flexible strips. As the distributing roll (5 rotates the flexible strips contact with the feed roll 5 and remove the compound which adheres to the surface of the feed roll 5, and then throws the material down on to the hide which passes through the machine on the endless belt. A scraper 8 is located at the end of the machine for removing from the belt the compound which unavoidably fallsupon the surface of the belt. As the material is scraped from the surfaceoi' the belt it falls into a trough 9. A convcyer 10 operates in the trough 9 to remove the material from the trough into a receiver 11. The compound is then pumped by means of a pump 12 fronr the receiver 11 through a pipe 13 back to the supply hopper l. The machines 1 and 2 have a common trough 9, and the compound pumped by the pump 12 is returned to the supply hoppers of both machines.

Practically the only difference between the machines 1 and 2 on the one hand, and the machine 3 on the other hand, is in the length of the belt, and possibly in the width thereof.

There may be any number of machines in each group, and any number of groups. As the machines of the different groups are ill- Patented July 8, 1919.

tended to treat hides of different types, it may, under some circumstances be necessary to supply to the machines of the different sets a compound of the same general composition but of different consistency, and probably containing the constituents in different proportions.

The supply system for supplying the sulfid compound to the machines comprises a mixing tank 14 in which a mechanical stirrer or mixer 15 operates. The ingredients of the compound are placed in this tank and mixed with the proper quantity of water to form a compound of the proper composition and consistency,

-Afterthe compound is mixed, it may be run through a pipe 16 into a tank 17. A valve 18 controls the supply of compound from tank 14 to tank 17. If the two sets of machines are to be supplied with a compound of identical nature, some of the compound may alsobe passed through a pipe 19 into a second tank 20. The pipe 19 is controlled by a valve 21. If the compound to be furnished to oneset of machines must be of a different character from the compound furnished to another set of machines, the compound first mixed in the tank 14 may be passed to n of the two tanks 17 and 20 and then another batch of the compound may be mixed inthe tank 14 andsupplied to the other of the two tanks 17 and 20.

Each tank 17 and 20 constitutes a part of a circulating system through which the compound continuously circulates. Each tank 17 and 20 may "be provided with a stirrer or agitator 22 to keep the compound in proper condition.

In the present instance, the tank 17 constitutes a part of a circulating system that supplies the compound to the machine 3, and the tank 20 constitutes a part of a circulating system that supplies the com pound to the machines 1 and 2.

The compound is pumped from the tank 17 through the pipe 23 by means of a pump 24 that may be driven in any suitable way. The pump 24 then forces the compound through a pipe 25 which passes over the supply hopper 4 of the machine 3. After the compound passes over the supply hopper of the machine 3 itis returned by means of the pipe 26 to the tank 17. Immediately above the supply hopper 4 of the machine 3 there is positioned a supply nozzle 27 controlled by the valve 28. lVhen it is desired to fill the hopper 4 the valve 28 is opened and some of the compound circulating through the pipes 25 and 26 is admitted to the hopper. hen the hopper is full the valve 28 is closed and the compound continues to circulate through tank 17 and through the pipes 25 and 26. It will therefore be seen that the compound is continually in motion, and is thus kept in proper condition. It is not allowed to remain at rest and thereby possibly harden or change its consistency sufliciently to clog up the system.

The compound from the tank 20 is circulated over the machines 1 and 2 in a similar manner by means of a pipe 29, a pump 30, and thepipes 31 and 32. In this instance, however, the pipe 31 passes over two of the machines, and there are therefore two supply nozzles 33 and 34, one for the hopper of each machine.

Then, the operation of any machine is discontinued, as, for instance, at night time, the system is flushed out in the following manner: Assumethat the operation of the machine 3 is discontinued. A valve 35 located in the pipe 23 is then closed, and a valve 36 located in the return pipe 26 just in advance of the tank 17 is also closed. ater is then admitted to the system from the supply pipe 37 by opening the two valves 38 and 39. The water passes from the pipe 37 through a pipe 40 into the pipe 23 and is then forced by the pump 24 throughthe pipes 25 and26. The water cannot pass into the tank 17 because the.

valve 36 is closed andit cannot pass through the pipe 40 because a valve 41 located in this pipe is closed before the water. is ad? mitted. The water therefore passes from pipe 26 through a pipe 42 leading to the mixing tank 14, the valve 43 located in the pipe 42having been previously opened to permit the water to passto the mixing tank. The flushing operation is allowed to con tinue until the tank 14 is practically full of water. The compound removed from the system by the flushing water is therefore delivered to the mixing tank, and the re moved compound is therefore saved. The water which is allowed to remain in the tank 14 is used for the next mixture. If this flushing operation takes place at night, the ingredients may be placed in the tank the next morning, and the batch mixed before the machines are placed in operation. As the sulfid takes longer. to dissolve than the other ingredients that are used, it is usually the custom to place the sulfidin the mixing tank immediately after the flushing operation, and allow it to remain in the water over night.

A drain 44 is located in the water supply pipe 37 between the two valves 38 and 39. The purpose of providing this drain, and the purpose of using the two valves38 and 39;,is as follows: If only. one valve, as for instance, that at 38 were used, and ifthis valve were not completely closed, water from the supply pipe would pass. continually into the system. The two valves 38 and.;39 are therefore provided, and if any water escapes by the valve 39 it passes out through the drain 4-4. The drain 44 is, of course,

provided with a valve 45. This is opened when the valves 38 and 39 are closed, and is closed when the valves 38 and 39 are opened.

Of course, when the flushing water is first admitted to the system it may be first circulated through the tank 17; This may be done by allowing the Water to pass into the tank, then shutting oli' the supply of water, and then circulating the Water through the system. In this way the tank 17 will also be cleansed. When the Water has circulated for a sufiicient length of time to clean out the system, the valves may be set as above described to cause the water topass into the mixing tank 14.

The flushing mechanism for the circulating system of which the tank 20 forms a part, is identicalwith that just described, the flushing water being returned to the mixing tank 14 through the pipe 46.

If desired, each system may be provided with a valve controlled pipe or connection 4.7 to allow the compound or mixture of compound and flushing water to pass into a sewer or other place'of disposal.

IIt will now be seen that each set of machines has a supply system through which thecompound is continuously circulated. There may be only one set of machines and one circulating system, or there may be any number of sets of machines and any number of circulating systems. The compound in the different circulating systems may be the same or it may be different. After the compound is admitted to the circulating tank, as, for instance, the tank 17 or 2-0, the compound is circulated through only the system of which that tank is a part. The mixing tank is independent of the circulating systems, except when it is desired to flush out the systems and return the flushing water to the mixing tank.

The compound which is removed from the system or systems is saved thus effecting a considerable saving in the cost of operating the machines. This saving is also augmented by not even wasting the compound which falls upon the belts or the machines. This is removed as above described, and returned to the supply hoppers. The entire system is therefore operated with a minimum Waste of the compound.

It will now be seen that a system has been provided in which fluid or plastic substances Which have heretofore been very difficult to supply to machines is readily handled. It is kept in circulation and supplied to the machines as occasion demands. The compound is therefore kept in proper condition while the machines are operating, and furthermore, there is no tendency of the compound to clog the system through which it circulates. Moreover, as soon as the operation of the machine is discontinued, the

compound is removed from the circulating system and the system is flushed and cleansed out. The means herein described by which this may be done is simple and efiective, and permits the flushed out material to be saved and subsequently used.

The system herein described has been found very (ElTGC DlVG and ellicient in connection with hide treating machines of the type herein shown, but as above stated, the system may be used for supplying any kind of fluid or plastic material to machines oi? any description. In fact the system might be used for supplying the fluid or plastic n'iate rial to any point of utilization.

WVhat I claim is:

1. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to several sets of hide treating machines or the like, comprising a mixing tank, a circulating tank for each set of machines, means for admitting the substance from the mixing. tank to any circulating tank, and means for circulating the substance from each circulating tank to one set of machines and then back to the circulating tank.

2. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to several sets of hide treating machines or the like, comprising a mixing tank, a circulating tank for each set of machines, means for admitting the substance from the mixing tank to any one of said circulating tanks, a system of piping associated with each circulating tank and extending from the tank to the machine or machines of one set and then back to the cir culating tank, means for continuously circulating the substance through such system of piping, and means for admitting the substance from said piping to the machine or machines of one set.

3. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to a point of utilization, comprising a mixing tank, a circulating tank to which the substance may be admitted from the mixing tank, a system of piping extending from the circulating tank to said point of utilization and back to the circulating tank, means for circulating the substance through said system of piping, means for admitting a flushing medium to said system of piping to cleanse the same, and means for causing said flushing medium to pass from said system of piping into the mixing tank.

A system for supplying a fluid or plastie substance to a point of utilization, comprising a circulating tank, a system of piping extending from the tank to said point and back to the tank, means for circulating the substance through said piping, and means for admitting a flushing medium to said system of piping to cleanse the same.

5. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to several sets of hide treating machines or the like, comprising a mixing tank, a circulating tank for each set of machines, means for admitting the substance from the mixing tank to any one of the circulating tanks, a system of piping extending from each circulating tank to the machine or machines of one set and then back to the circulating tank, means for cir culating the substance through said system of piping, means for admitting a flushing medium to each system of piping, and means whereby the flushing medium may be discharged from each system of piping into the mixing tank.

6. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to hide treating machines con'iprising a tank, a system of piping extending from the tank to a point adjacent the machine and back to the tank, means for causing a circulation of the substance through said system of piping, means for diverting portions of the substance from said system to the machine, and means for directing a flushing medium through said system of piping to cleanse the same.

7. A system for supplying a fluid orplastic substance to hide treating machines comprising a tank, means for agitating the substance in said tank, a closed system of piping extending from the tank to a point adjacent. the machine and back to the tank, means for causing a circulation of the sub stance through said system of piping, means for diverting portions of said substance from said system of piping to the machine, and means for directing a flushing medium through saidsystem of piping to cleanse the same.

8. Means for supplying a fluid or plastic substance'to a point of utilization, comprising a mixing tank, a circulating tank to which the substance may be admitted from the mixing tank, a system of piping extending from the circulating tank to the machine and back to the circulating tank, means for circulating the substance through said system of piping, a valve controlled outlet in said piping for admitting the substance from said system to the machine, means for admitting a flushing medium to said system of piping, and means for discharging the flushing medium from said system of piping into'the mixing tank.

9. The combination With a hide treating machine or the like having means for a plying a substance to the material to be treated, and means for collecting the Waste substance and returning it to the applying means, of means for supplying the sub stance to said machine, comprising a circulating tank, a system of piping extending-from the circulating tank to the machine and back to the circulating tank, means for circulating the substance through said system of piping, a mixing tank in Which the substance may be mixed and then subsequently admitted to the circulating tank, means for admitting a flushing medium to said system of piping, and means for discharging the flushing medium from said system of piping into the mixing tank.

10. The combination With ahide treating machine or the like'having means for apply ing a substance to thematerial to be treated, and means for collecting the Waste substance and returning it to the applying means, of means for supplying the substance to said machine, comprising a circulating tank, a system of piping extending from the circulating tank to the machine and then back to the tank, means for circulating the substance through said system of piping, means for admitting a flushing medium to said system of piping, and means for collecting and saving the flushing medium and the substance removed thereby.

11. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to several points of utilization, comprising a mixing tank, a plurality of circulating tanks, means for admitting the substance from the mixing tank to any circulating tank, andmeans for continuously circulating the substance from each circulating tank to one of said points of utilization, and then back to the circulating tank.

12. A system for supplying a fluid or plastic substance to several points of utilization, comprising a mixing tank, a plurality of circulating tanks, means for admitting the substance from the mixing tank to any one of the circulatingtanks, a system of piping extending from each circulating tank to one of said points of utilization, means for circulating the substance through said system of piping, means for admitting a flushing medium to each system of piping, and means whereby the flushing medium may be discharged into the mixing tank.

13. The method of supplying fluid or plastic substance to a point of utilization which consists in mixing the substance to proper consistency in a suitable container, setting up a continuous circulation of the substance through a defined path leading adjacent the point of utilization, delivering portions of the substance from said ath to the point of utilization, causing a ushing medium to flow at intervals through said path to cleanse the same, and returning the flushing medium thus employed to the con tainer.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES P. BossEirr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Gommissionerof Patents,

Washington, I). 0. 

